Where Confidence Lies

The Liberal leader, Mr Clement Davies, along with four of his colleagues, has tabled a motion against the fourteen-day rule. It reads “That this House, which is the representative and protector of a people which cherishes the right of free discussion deplores the ban by which the British Broadcasting Corporation and the Independent Television Authority are prevented from sponsoring programmes on matters of public interest within fourteen days of the date on which they are to be debated in Parliament.”

A correction in today’s Guardian: “We are asked by Mr John Irwin and Mr Edgar Lustgarten to say that the programme Free Speech which they jointly present is not rehearsed.”

Not too much in the Daily Express, although BBC Light Entertainment head, Ronnie Waldman, defended Yolande Donlan’s performance in What’s My Line? which some had apparently criticised as “hesitant”: “Give her a chance, Isobel Barnett was the biggest flop of all time when she started.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Geoffrey Fisher, appeared on television last night to say that no pressure was brought on Princess Margaret by the church and that her decision not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend was made “entirely on grounds of conscience.” You’ll have to look elsewhere for details on this story. It’s been in – and on – the news, of course, but that doesn’t mean it merits discussion here.